Evaluating Quality of Life for Seniors in Jackson Hole
Common geriatric conditions such as functional impairment and dementia
frequently go unrecognized or poorly addressed in older adults. Identifying
geriatric conditions by performing a geriatric assessment can help providers
manage these conditions and prevent or
delay further health impairments.
The Geriatric Connections Assessment program is a comprehensive battery
of evaluations administered by a team with a physician, speech language
pathologists, social worker, and occupational therapists. This program
is consultative by nature and intended to assess an elder person’s
physical, cognitive, and emotional health as it pertains to functional
independence and quality of life for seniors. Functional independence
in self care and hygiene, safety and health management, money management,
transportation, telephone use, employment status, and leisure and social
participation. Once the assessment is completed, this interdisciplinary
team collaborates to design a plan of care that is unique to the individual
and intended to promote safety, independence, and overall wellness.
A geriatric assessment may cover:
Functional capacity
Fall risk
Cognition
Mood
Polypharmacy
Social support
Financial concerns
Goals of care
Advance care preferences
Nutrition and weight change
Urinary continence
Sexual function
Vision and hearing
Dentition
Living situation
Spirituality
Geriatric Connections is comprised of a team of health care providers from
St. John's Health and
Teton Physical Therapy. During your evaluation you’ll meet with:
A speech language pathologist for short tests of thinking, memory, and judgment
An occupational therapist for short tests of balance, sensation in hands and feet
A social worker to offer psychological, social, and emotional support
A physician to discuss general health, wellbeing, and any medical concerns
you may have
